The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) clarified that no medical drugs or devices are permitted to be sold in Sri Lankan market without NMRA registration amidst allegations of unregistered Indian drugs including cancer drugs being sold in private pharmacies near major hospitals.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, an official from the NMRA further clarified that under the existing provisions, all the medical products available for consumer use including drugs must be registered with the Authority. “The basic principle is that no unregistered medical products should be available in hospitals or pharmacies for patients’ use,” he said.
The official stated the Market Control Division of the NMRA performs regular market surveys to identify unregistered medicines. “We conduct inspections and raids from time-to-time and take necessary actions accordingly,” he added. Along with these inspections, the pharmacy owners and the consumers are also being educated to avoid purchasing unregistered medical products from the market.
“If we receive any special complaints about unregistered products being sold in any specific place, we especially focus on it and take prompt necessary actions,” he said, noting the Authority pays special attention to the complaints they receive.
Addressing the allegations regarding a private pharmacy opposite the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital/National Cancer Institute selling an unregistered Indian drug to a patient, the official said the matter would be investigated and necessary actions would be taken.
Speaking of penalties, he said the cases of unregistered medicines are directly sent to courts where the punishments are decided according to the law.
Concerns and allegations were raised by the Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights organisation’s Chairperson, specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa that several unregistered medical drugs from India are being sold in private pharmacies across the country. Specially highlighting an incident related to a cancer patient purchasing a drug from a private pharmacy opposite the said Hospital which was later discovered to be unregistered, and not having improved the patient’s health regardless, Dr. Sanjeewa has urged the NMRA to look into the matter.